Paul Heyman Discusses WWE/MSG, Lesnar vs. Big Show, Austin/WM3

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Paul Heyman spoke about tonight’s WWE in MSG card featuring Brock Lesnar vs Big Show. Here are highlights:

On his favorite non-wrestling moment at Madison Square Garden: “I was a kid and I was a photographer and it’s the moment I learned what being a rock star, which is what anyone who performs at MSG is in some way a frustrated rock star because we all want that moment when you’re just standing there doing absolutely nothing and the crowd worships you like the God that you intend to be. And because I had a press pass for what was then WWWF. I got a press pass for Led Zeppelin. They came out for their second encore. They had held back Stairway to Heaven all night long. And when Robert Plant would ask the crowd what they wanted to hear … that was the song people wanted to hear. So they came out for their second encore. And Jimmy Page stepped up, the lights went dark, they hit the spotlight on Page and he just hit the opening couple chords to Stairway to Heaven and the place erupted. Even as I’m telling you this now, I’m covered in goose bumps. It tingled my spine. And the place erupted in an explosion like the Knicks just won the championship. And Jimmy Page just stopped and looked up and had the most s**t-eating grin on his face and he knew he owned them. And for three or four minutes – but it seemed like an hour – they didn’t play. They didn’t sing. They just soaked in the enormity of the response and just stood there and let it come to them. And then they played the song. And at that moment, I just said to myself, “wow. that’s what it’s like. that’s the moment everyone dreams about. That right there is what you work towards and for.”

On why you should watch Big Show vs Brock Lesnar: “If Brock Lesnar is in the main event at Madison Square Garden, it doesn’t matter to me who his opponent is. We’re going back to the Roman Coliseum and we’re feeding victims to the lions. And they always packed the Roman Coliseum for that. Big Show happens to be the meatiest victim we could find for Brock Lesnar. I don’t think we’re paying to see a one hour classic at Madison Square Garden. I don’t think fans are paying to see WWE’s version of Ali and Frazier going 15 rounds. People are paying to see Brock Lesnar eat someone alive. The are paying to see whoever it is, in this case The Big Show, to Suplex City. People are paying to see Brock Lesnar eat, sleep, conquer, repeat. And that’s exactly what they’re going to get this Saturday. If people are criticizing the Big Show, I think people are looking at the wrong end of the Main Event.”

On if he believes that Stone Cold won’t compete at WrestleMania 32: “Oh I believe it after the phone calls Steve and I received after that podcast. Absolutely.”

100% DIRECT LINK (PHOTOS): Daniel Bryan & Brie Bella Goofing Off!